TCS HackQuest Season 9 Registration process 2025

TCS HackQuest Season 9 Registration process 2025

TCS HackQuest is the hacking competition designed by Cyber Security Unit of Tata Consultancy Services. From the year 2016 onward, this is an innovation to celebrate the identification and nurturing of young ethical hackers among students. Season 9 would be a continuation of this mission through offering participants an opportunity to participate in a challenging, challenge-driven contest that builds cybersecurity expertise and contributes toward the creation of a safe digital future.

Introduction to TCS HackQuest

With the rapid evolution of today’s technological landscape, there has never been a challenge of this magnitude to be faced by organizations. In fact, the post-pandemic digital transformation expanded operational horizons and left the systems open to cyberattacks of sophistication. Hence, ethical hacking would be significant for a decentralized digital ecosystem for protection against the three fundamental concepts of cybersecurity: Confidentiality, Integrity, and Availability.

TCS Cyber Security Unit has launched HackQuest Season 9, and invites students who are keen to learn about ethical hacking and digital security to test their skills and to secure themselves industry recognition, culminating in a job within the cybersecurity field.

Format of the Competition

TCS HackQuest is based on the popular Catch the Flag (CTF) model. Through this, participants are given a stream of challenges that must be undertaken to test their skills in ethical hacking and problem-solving abilities at multi-tiered difficulty levels.

Important Features of the Competition

• Competition Time: 6-hour competition.
• Challenge Tiers:
  • Starting: Basic level in cybersecurity, including simple cracking of passwords, basic encryption techniques, and simple network vulnerabilities.
  • Intermediate: Web application security, SQL injection, and network analysis.
  • Expert: Challenges related to reverse engineering, advanced cryptography, and penetration testing.

Students are allowed to attempt challenges under all categories to prove overall comprehension of cybersecurity principles.

Eligibility Criteria

This event is for students who have a student enrollment in some reputed Indian academic institutions, passing out in 2025. Eligible qualifications are:

• Undergraduate: BTech, BE, BCA, BSc.
• Postgraduate: MTech, ME, MCA, MSc.

Other Eligibility Notes

• Participation is as individuals and not in groups.
• Registration is subject to a valid TCS NextStep reference ID (CT/DT number).
• No registration fee or participation fee is to be paid.

TCS also has the right to check the eligibility of participants at any stage of the contest and failure to comply with any verification requests may lead to disqualification.

Registration Steps

1. Open the contest portal at HackQuest TCS Apps.
2. Create a TCS NextStep reference ID:
   • Log in to the TCS NextStep portal.
   • Fill in the relevant details under the “IT” section, not BPS.
   • Submit the form to generate the reference ID.
3. Use the reference ID to complete your registration for HackQuest.

Upon successful registration, participants will receive a unique credential to access the contest portal. It is essential to safeguard these credentials, as they are non-transferable and critical for contest participation.

Contest Structure

HackQuest consists of two main rounds, culminating in an award ceremony for the top performe

Round 1: Online CTF Competition

• Duration: 6 hours.
• Participants solve challenge statements in the beginner, intermediate, and expert categories.
• Submission Requirements:
  • Capture and upload a screenshot of each solved challenge (flag).
  • Prepare a detailed report using the template provided. The report must outline the step-by-step approach used to solve the challenges.
  • Submit the report before the deadline. Failure to do so results in disqualification.

Evaluation Criteria:

• Number of flags captured.
• Quality and originality of the report.
• Innovative and resourceful problem-solving approaches.

Participants are allowed to use ethical hacking tools but will be restricted in their disruptive activities, which include spamming and causing traffic overload.

Round 2: Challenges with Advanced Level and Case Explanation

Participants of Round 1 will advance to the second round with two activities:

Activity 1: Penetration Testing on Hosted Challenges

• Topics are as follows:
  • Web application security.
  • Mobile security.
  • Digital forensics.
  • Threat hunting.
  • Source code analysis.
• Capture flags and show that participants can use advanced level ethical hacking skills.

Activity 2: Case Explanation

• Duration: 3-4 hours.
• Participants present their solution to challenge statements in front of a jury panel. This round evaluates technical knowledge, clarity in solving problems, and communication skills.

Domains and Recommended Skills

Participants with expertise in the following domains will have a significant advantage:

• Application Security
• Network Security
• Threat Hunting
• Malware Analysis
• Digital Forensics
• Penetration Testing
• Cryptography
• Ethical Hacking Tools (e.g., Burp Suite, Metasploit)

Familiarity with programming languages like Python, Java, PHP, and Go will also be helpful. Additionally, any certification in the realms of CEH, Security+, ISO 27001, or any equivalent is also beneficial.

Judging and Awards

Evaluation Criteria

Submissions made during the two rounds will be assessed by a jury consisting of TCS Cybersecurity professionals. The assessment criteria involve the following key areas:

• Ingenuity and creativity.
• Technical acumen – depth.
• Ethical hacking principles adherence.

Awards and Benefits

Top 10 Performers:

• Accolades in the Award Ceremony.
• Exposure and interaction with the leadership in TCS.

Provisional Job Offers:

Outstanding participants may be offered jobs in the TCS cybersecurity unit as a Ninja or Digital, subject to further evaluation.

Awards:

The total award amount is INR 5 Lakhs.
Merit certificates for all the participants selected for Round 2.

Ethical Conduct and Compliance

Participants must adhere to strict ethical and legal standards. Submissions must:

• Be original and plagiarism-free.
• Not contain any material that promotes discrimination, hatred, or violates applicable laws.
• Keep contest-related information confidential.

Violations of these rules will automatically disqualify the contestant.

Why Participate?

• Career Opportunities: Present your skills to industry leaders and secure job offers in one of the fastest growing fields.
• Skill Development: Get hands-on experience with real-world cybersecurity challenges.
• Networking: Interact with top professionals and like-minded peers.
• Recognition: Establish yourself as a competent ethical hacker.

Key Takeaways

TCS HackQuest is more than an event like a launchpad for all future cybersecurity professionals to present their skills and secure a promising future. By participating, you’re contributing to the making of a safer digital world as you unlock your potential in becoming an ethical hacker.

For more details and up-to-date information, click on Apps.